CONWAY, Ark. – Finally! After six-straight road matches to start the year and 331 days since the last home game, the Central Arkansas men's soccer team finally gets to play in front of its own crowd, playing Eastern Illinois for its 2025 home opener. Kickoff has been slightly rescheduled to 7:30 p.m. at the Bill Stephens Track & Soccer Complex.
 
The Bears (0-5-1) have played one of the toughest schedules in the country, playing multiple teams that are/were/will be ranked, and all of them on the road. And though the results haven't been what the team would like, there's been a lot of learning and improving for first year head coach Kyle Segebart's squad.
 
Last time out, the Bears dropped a 4-1 road match at Charlotte. Devonte Richards scored his first goal of the season in the second half, trying to get the Bears back within striking distance, but the Niners' offense proved to be too much.
 
Eastern Illinois enters the weekend with a 1-3-1 record, picking up its first win last week against Northern Illinois. The Panthers logged two first half goals to establish a lead, and then added another in the second half to pull away late, surrendering the second goal to NIU with 20 seconds remaining.
 
Four different Panthers have goals this season, while their opponents have logged 10 through five matches. Eastern Illinois has a tough time generating offense, getting outshot 108-49 so far this season.
 
Kickoff against the Panthers is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Bill Stephens Complex. The match will be streamed on ESPN+, with live stats available online.